Thanksgiving (Giving Thanks)
by Elaine Reimers, Adult Ministry Director
Stepping outside in short sleeves and capris in Kansas City in November doesn’t feel very fall-ish. Something has felt “off” about the sun going down at 5 PM, unaccompanied by cold temperatures; people are not all bundled up in their winter coats, and I can’t see my breath when I greet my co-worker in the parking lot of Mission Adelante in the morning. News about Black Friday reminds me that Thanksgiving Day is right around the corner, but something still doesn’t feel right!
If you don’t have your head buried in the sand somewhere, I am sure we can agree, hardly a day goes by that you don’t hear about or witness some form of hate or gloom. It’s on the nightly news, podcasts, in your community, and on your own block. It would not surprise me if you could think of something this very second that sickens you, breaks your heart, or causes you fear and anxiety.
From what is happening here in the U.S. with our immigrant and migrant friends, to the devastating natural disasters in Jamaica and numerous other countries, the persecution in Nigeria, and the hungry people all over the world, I have to be honest, it’s becoming challenging to think of and express what I am thankful for. I hope I am the only one, but fear that I am not!
While contemplating the challenging season that many of us are experiencing right now, I encourage you to intentionally turn your thoughts to what you are thankful for. I know it’s not easy when everything else is screaming for your attention, but this act of intentionally focusing on our blessings is crucial to our mental and spiritual health! To practice what I preach, I came up with the following things. Although there are probably hundreds (maybe thousands) of things I am and should be thankful for, these are the ones that stand out to me the most right now:
I am thankful that God never leaves me and that He is accessible 24/7.
I am thankful for the sacrifice that Jesus made for me on the cross- dying and conquering death.
I am thankful for my family.
I am thankful for my home.
I am thankful for my job and the people at Mission Adelante (and for the donors, staff, volunteers, and program participants).
I could literally go on and on, but the only thing that truly matters is that I have Jesus, and if I have Jesus, I have EVERYTHING!
In light of all the crazy things we are experiencing and witnessing in this temporary home of ours called Earth, I thought it would be uplifting to share what some of our participants had to say about what they are thankful for, in particular about their experience with Mission Adelante. We may not be able to control much in this life, but we can control where we serve, make donations, spend our time, and focus our efforts. Believe me, it is not hard for the students to express their heartfelt gratitude for the impact Mission Adelante has had on their lives over the years, and for every second our staff and volunteers sacrifice to help them. The following comments have either been translated by Google Translate, or have been written in English by the students. I had thought to clip a few of them because they had SO much to say, but every word is so meaningful, so please bear with me and take the time to read through them all. You won’t regret it. Enjoy!
““Mission Adelante” and the “English club” have helped me a lot. I’ve lost some of my shyness and fear when speaking, and now I can string together a few more words when I practice my English. I want to thank my teachers for everything I’ve learned and for taking the time to make this possible, helping me improve more and more. Little by little, we’re making progress. God bless each and every one of them ❤️”
Hello, good morning.
Thank you for inviting us to share our thoughts on this Thanksgiving blog. I want to express my heartfelt gratitude.
Especially to Pastor Jaime (Jarrett) and to you, Elaine ❤️, who have given us unconditional and wonderful support, always thinking of our well-being. I am so grateful for all these years I have shared with you, and it has been a pleasure to have taken advantage of each semester to participate in clubs, which has opened many doors for me. I thought I wouldn't be able to work in places where I didn't know I could. I work in front of a computer, all in English, and I strive to the fullest to progress and continue learning. Thank you.
I want to thank each of you—our teachers Susan, Julia, and David—and the volunteers—for the time, patience, and love you give us each week. Many of us came to this country with fear, challenges, and the hope of giving our families a better future. Sometimes the world can feel overwhelming, especially for immigrants like us, who face prejudice, loneliness, and moments when we feel like we don't belong.
But in your classroom, everything feels different.
With your kindness, you provide us with a safe space.
With your smiles, you remind us that we are not alone.
With your patience, you teach us that learning takes time and that making mistakes is okay.
With your compassion, you help us believe in ourselves again.
Your classes aren't just English lessons; they are moments of hope.
You help us grow, not only in the language, but also in confidence, dignity, and courage. You remind us why we came to this country: to work hard, to get ahead, and to give our children a better life.
In times of so much division and negativity, you choose to be a light. You choose to serve, support, and welcome people like us with open arms. And that is something we will never forget.
Thank you for being kind people in a world that sometimes forgets to be kind.
Thank you for valuing our effort when others only see our accent.
Thank you for encouraging us when we doubt ourselves.
Thank you for your time, your generosity, and your faith in us.
May God bless you and your families for all the love you give us.
From the bottom of our hearts: thank you for changing our lives in ways you may not even imagine.
Happy Thanksgiving! ❤️🙏🏼
Julia – English Club
“Well, I give thanks to God first of all. And thank you to the teachers for being patient with us 🙏 and thank you to all of us. ”
“Hi, I’m Maria R., a student at Mission Adelante, and I’m so happy to be part of this great institution. It’s not just a great institution; we’re like a big family that supports us in pursuing our dream and goal of learning English. They don’t just teach us to speak it, but also grammar and pronunciation. I’m so happy because I’ve accomplished so much in such a short time. I also want to thank the teachers who donate their valuable time to teach us with such care and dedication. Thank you to each and every one of them. With Mission Adelante, anything is possible! 👍🏻👍🏻”
I heard about Mission Adelante in the summer of 2022 through my sister-in-law. She had started English classes there and recommended I enroll. So I did, and I began the program in Fall 2022. I haven't left since.
I completed the English levels; then I was in the English Club for a year and a half; currently (Fall 2025), I'm helping out with the English Level One program.
Personally, I enjoy attending Mission Adelante every Thursday because it's more than just going to classes:
1. It's meeting people who can become friends.
2. It's finding others from different places with similar interests.
3. It's spending time with someone who might need help or with someone who can help you.
4. It's solidarity, cooperation, and community.
I feel extremely grateful for the work Mission Adelante does, for the effort and time that its staff and volunteers dedicate to making each session happen. I am grateful to have found you, because through you I have grown as a person.
Sincerely,
Rosa G. – Latino ESL, Level 1 Volunteer (formerly an English Club participant in Latino ESL)
“Good morning 😃❤️ everyone, and it’s going to be a great day. Time has definitely flown by; I’ve already been sharing this with this wonderful group for almost two months. Many thanks to the organizers, Elaine and Erika, and to all the volunteers who make this possible. May God bless you all and may all your goals be fulfilled. 🙏”
“Hi Elaine, good afternoon 🥰 Yesterday I went to lunch at Outback with my brother, and my English was slow but correct and fluent. I feel grateful to you for the work you do, thank you 🙏. And God bless all the people who wholeheartedly help our community. That lunch wouldn’t have been possible before.”
“Hello, my name is Angel. I want to thank you for everything you do for the Hispanic community. I think it has been a great help to be able to offer free English classes and continue growing professionally and socially. Besides having teachers who know how to do things well, you also end up forming friendships that go beyond just socializing. Thank you again for everything, and let’s continue growing as a community. Blessings. 🙏”
“I am eternally grateful to all the volunteers for dedicating their time and space to us. God bless you and allow you to continue supporting us. Thank you so much 🙏🏻 And to Mission Adelante, to all its founders, teachers, and everyone who supports us, a thousand thanks. God bless you 🙏🏻”
“Good morning, teacher. Thank you so much for your time and patience with all of us, helping us prepare for citizenship. May God continue to bless you abundantly. Amen.”
“Today I want to thank you all for your effort and dedication, and above all, for the patience you have with each and every student. Thank you so much for your time. 🙏 Blessings to all.”
“I watch videos and I just spell the words I hear. I understand and hear English better. A big thank you to all my dear teachers, to Pastor Elaine, and to everyone at Mission Adelante. ”
Let’s pray!
Father God, thank You for the innumerable blessings You shower upon us! Help us to be thankful in all circumstances and to let Your peace reign in our hearts! Equip us to head off all anxiety and to shut out all fears and doubts, no matter how loud they are. Help us to keep our eyes and our thoughts on You, Jesus, regardless of what’s going on around us! Thank you for every donor, volunteer, staff, and participant who make this ministry possible! I pray a special prayer of abundant provision over each one of us in this season! Please, help us to spend some much-needed quality time with loved ones during this Thanksgiving break, and remind us that if we have You, we have it all! In the name of the Mighty, the Majestic, and the Matchless Name of Jesus Christ. Amen and amen!
Give Your Time, Heart, and Care!
Want to give but can’t do so financially? There are so many beautiful ways to give! Offer your time, your heart, and your care to people from all places.
Arts Community (Mondays, 6:30pm): We’re looking for a music teacher who loves to share creativity and joy.
Kids Adelante and Latino ESL (Thursdays, 6:30pm): We need dedicated volunteers to teach English to students, young and old.
Youth Club (Wednesdays, 6:30pm): We’re seeking mentors who want to walk alongside teens, encourage them, and share life together.
Sign up here to be a part of what God is doing! ❤️